It had been some time since I held the HDFC Business Regalia, and I wanted to move up to the highest-tier card, Infinia. The eligibility for Infinia is quite demanding, so I didn’t pursue it. Instead, I applied for the HDFC Diners Club Black, attracted by its strong 10X reward points offer and unlimited airport lounge access worldwide—features that suit my frequent business and leisure travel.
HDFC Diners Club Black Welcome Kit
HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card Approval & the Kit
I applied for the Diners Club Black and, after some follow-up, the application was approved. My consistent usage on the Regalia and a solid relationship with HDFC helped the approval process. The card arrived within a week along with a welcome kit containing:
- Diners Club Black catalog
- Insurance documents
- Shopping vouchers (brands like Kenneth Cole and Brooks Brothers)
- Terms & conditions
- The Diners Club Black card and add-on cards
Diners Club Black catalog & shopping vouchers (inside the sandal cover)
The card: The card has a subtle map design that reflects in bright light; otherwise it appears mostly black. On the back it features Discover and Pulse logos, indicating acceptance on Discover/Pulse terminals and online gateways that support those networks. This makes it convenient for international use and services like PayPal.
My HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card (India)
I requested add-on cards for my family, so the kit included those as well. Add-on cards are valuable with the Diners Black because the primary and add-on cards each offer unlimited complimentary lounge visits globally—handy for family travel. Note that you cannot combine benefits by using the primary and add-on cards together on a single transaction.
Shortly after I received the card, HDFC announced changes to the Diners Club 10X Rewards program. The changes did not significantly affect my usage level with the Black card. I still expect strong rewards when booking flights, hotels, and shopping with the bank’s preferred partners.
Update: Due to many inquiries about this card, here’s a brief note: to be considered for the Diners Club Black, maintain a high-value relationship with the bank and demonstrate consistent card usage. Once you meet that threshold, approach your branch directly and discuss an upgrade.
If you’d like personalized advice on obtaining the Diners Club Black, you can contact me for a consultation. If you already hold the Diners Black card, feel free to share your experience in the comments.